Introduction
The veins that carry blood back to the heart must work against gravity. Long periods of sitting or lying down, along with age and heat, can impair their efficiency. This may lead to circulatory discomfort and the familiar sensation of heavy legs.
Heavy legs, swelling of the lower limbs, and sometimes varicose veins are therefore common summer complaints, as venous circulation tends to slow down.
As temperatures rise, blood vessels dilate and blood tends to stagnate in the lower limbs, causing painful sensations or even oedema.
There are some wonderful essential oils for these conditions, which often worsen or appear when there is excessive heat.
The treatment of these conditions is based on the aromatic properties of certain plants from sunny regions and arid terrains that contain valuable active ingredients.
Tip: Find all my professional advice on venous insufficiency, the liver, varicose veins, phlebitis, Raynaud's syndrome and high blood pressure in my free programme “Réflexaroma”.
The essential oil of circulation, blood, and veins
Helichrysum essential oil (Helichrysum italicum)
Helichrysum (also called Immortella) essential oil offers exceptional support for the vascular network and blood flow.
A symbol of immortality and eternal life, helichrysum (from Helios, the Greek god of the sun, and chrysos, gold) grows in arid Mediterranean regions, particularly Corsica.
It has very fine needle-like leaves and flowers shaped like small golden yellow suns.
In olfactotherapy, it raises awareness of the different energy bodies.
In aromatherapy, it is a miraculous remedy for all bruises and external/internal haematomas, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti-haematoma, analgesic and healing properties.
Often compared to arnica in its areas of use, it frequently convinces even the most skeptical of aromatherapy.
In cases of venous insufficiency, heavy legs, or circulatory discomfort, this essential oil helps ease sensations of pain and heat. Thanks to its traditionally recognized decongestant, desclerosing and anti-phlebitic properties, it actively promotes venous return.
Essential oils for congestion and oedema (swelling)
Cypress essential oil (Cypressus sempervirens)
The cypress, evergreen and a tree of cemeteries, is a symbol of justice (verticality), immortality (evergreen) and transgenerational lineage.
It is renowned for its legendary lifespan, sometimes exceeding 1,000 years.
Native to the Aegean islands and the Mediterranean basin, its wood is naturally resistant to decay.
In olfactotherapy, cypress essential oil is associated with awareness of deep-rooted patterns and emotional ties that may hinder personal growth.
In aromatherapy, cypress primarily supports the vascular system by promoting venous and lymphatic decongestion. It is a key essential oil for all circulatory problems: heavy legs, varicose veins, lower abdominal congestion, haemorrhoids, and oedema (swelling) of the lower limbs.
Mastic tree essential oil (Pistacia lentiscus)
The mastic tree is also native to the dry regions of the Mediterranean.
Its essential oil supports venous and lymphatic decongestion while toning vascular walls, thereby encouraging optimal venous return.
Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint essential oil provides an instant cooling sensation ('ice cube effect') that travels along the length of the legs.
Its vasoconstrictive properties, which narrow the diameter of blood vessels, consequently accelerate blood flow.
Please note that this oil has a very powerful cooling effect, so it is important to adhere to the recommended concentration in the formula. It is also contraindicated for children under 30 months of age and pregnant women.
A note on liver support
The liver plays a significant role in cardiovascular balance, even though the heart remains the central organ.
Directly linked to blood composition, the liver filters and helps maintain blood quality. It is therefore important to support it by undergoing a liver drainage treatment with lemon, peppermint or rosemary ct. verbenone oils. One drop of each on a suitable medium will decongest it.
Perfect, light legs
Telangiectasias (spider veins)
One possible consequence of heavy legs and venous stasis is the appearance of small visible blood vessels known as telangiectasias.
They form fine red or purple lines, ranging from a few millimetres to a few centimetres in length, often star-shaped.
Completely harmless, they result from permanent dilation of tiny blood capillaries and mainly represent an aesthetic concern.
In conventional medicine, the only way to treat them is electrocoagulation.
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Aromatherapy highlights the value of mastic tree essential oil (Pistacia lentiscus), traditionally used to help soften the appearance of these visible vessels.
SUGGESTION FOR USE: Pour 5 ml of this essential oil into an empty 15 ml bottle and fill to the top with an apricot kernel-type vegetable oil.
The fragrance of this oil is not necessarily the most pleasant, but the benefits obtained make up for this inconvenience. Apply a few drops to the affected areas three times a day until they disappear completely.
The essential oil for reducing bruises
When a small bruise appears on the legs—or elsewhere on the body—following a minor impact or poor venous circulation, helichrysum essential oil (Helichrysum italicum) is traditionally used to remove the blemish.
Do not hesitate to apply it undiluted to adults, but only use 1 or (for a larger area) a couple of drops. It will prevent the bruise from becoming unsightly and accelerate its resorption.
My formula for heavy legs
Venous insufficiency, circulatory discomfort, swelling
Properties: venous and lymphatic toning and decongestion, cooling effect, vasoconstrictive support.
Indications: venous insufficiency, circulatory discomfort, swelling.
Application: topical use.
| Helichrysum (Immortella) essential oil Helichrysum italicum ssp. italicum | 30 drops* or 1 ml |
| Mastic tree essential oil Pistacia lentiscus | 50 drops* or 1,6 ml |
| Cypress essential oil Cupressus sempervirens | 50 drops* or 1,6 ml |
| Niaouli essential oil Melaleuca quinquinervia ct. cineole | 30 drops* or 1 ml |
| Peppermint essential oil Mentha × piperita | 20 drops* or 0,6 ml |
| Tamanu vegetable oil Calophyllum Inophyllum | 5 - 10 ml |
| Apricot kernel vegetable oil | q.s. to (fill up to) 30 ml |
*) Unfortunately, there is no international standard for the dropper caps of essential oils. Depending on where you live, the size of the drops may vary (in this formula, a drop size of 1 ml = 30 ml is being used). It is therefore very important to pay attention to the ml information to ensure that you do not overdose. A 10 ml glass measuring cylinder (graduated cylinder) should be used for measuring essential oils. In total, no more than 6 ml of essential oils must be used for this formula.
Preparation: Blend the essential oils in the indicated quantities (for measuring ml quantities, a 10 ml measuring cylinder is recommended), pour them into a 30 ml amber glass bottle with a dropper, and top up with apricot kernel oil. Close securely and shake gently.
Directions for use: Apply 8 to 10 drops of the blend to each leg, two to three times daily throughout the warm season. Massage upward from the ankle toward the knee.
Tip: Find all my professional advice on venous insufficiency, liver support, varicose veins, phlebitis, Raynaud’s syndrome, and high blood pressure in my free program “Réflexaroma”.
Examples of studies and articles on this topic
Margaux Degrelle. Les hélichryses (ou immortelles) en aromathérapie: zoom sur l’Hélichryse italienne
corse. Sciences pharmaceutiques. 2015. hal-01731734 hal.univ-lorraine.fr/hal-01731734v1
Alves-Silva JM, et al. The Role of Essential Oils and Their Main Compounds in the Management of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors. Molecules. 2021 Jun 9;26(12):3506. doi: 10.3390/molecules26123506. PMID: 34207498; PMCID: PMC8227493.
Zhao H, et al. Peppermint essential oil: its phytochemistry, biological activity, pharmacological effect and application. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022 Oct;154:113559. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113559. Epub 2022 Aug 19. PMID: 35994817.
Silva H. Current Knowledge on the Vascular Effects of Menthol. Front Physiol. 2020 Apr 7;11:298. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00298. Erratum in: Front Physiol. 2020 Oct 20;11:602231. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.602231. PMID: 32317987; PMCID: PMC7154148.
Hudz N, et al. Mentha piperita: Essential Oil and Extracts, Their Biological Activities, and Perspectives on the Development of New Medicinal and Cosmetic Products. Molecules. 2023 Nov 6;28(21):7444. doi: 10.3390/molecules28217444. PMID: 37959863; PMCID: PMC10649426.
Geun Hee Seol et al., Essential Oils and Factors Related to Cardiovascular Diseases, Published: 05 November 2018, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.77278, From the Edited Volume Potential of Essential Oils, Edited by Hany A. El-Shemy
Mr Shaikh Uzair Shaikh Abdul Hameed et al., Eucalyptus Oil and Its Effects on Veins: A Comprehensive Review, Aurangabad Pharmacy College, © April 2025 | IJIRT | Volume 11 Issue 11 | ISSN: 2349-6002 (Note: Note: Eucalyptus and niaouli (which is mentioned in this article) share the common molecule 1,8-cineole)
Batiha GE, et al. Bioactive compounds, pharmacological actions and pharmacokinetics of Cupressus sempervirens. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2023 Mar;396(3):389-403. doi: 10.1007/s00210-022-02326-z. Epub 2022 Nov 17. PMID: 36385684; PMCID: PMC9898348. Format:
Dawn Langly-Bradey, Augusta University, Intractable Peripheral Edema in Hospice: A Clinical Aromatherapy Case Study and Review of the Literature, July 2016, Volume: http://hdl.handle.net/10755/616414, Conference: 27th International Nursing Research Congress, At: Cape Town, South Africa
Barbara Hanna Roman et al, The Use of Plants That Seal Blood Vessels in Preparations Applied Topically to the Skin: A Review, April 2025, Molecules, 30(9), 1973; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30091973
Important Information
Whenever we use the term ‘essential oils’ (EO), we always refer to essential oils that are 100% natural, 100% pure, 100% unadulterated, and preferably organic or wildcrafted. Only 100% genuine essential oils, obtained either by distillation or cold expression, are suitable for French aromatherapy. Proper storage and packaging, as well as adherence to the shelf life, are equally important in order to prevent the oxidation of aromatic molecules.
The information provided on this website is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, prescription or treatment. Essential oils are excellent complementary tools, but are not a replacement for medication. Aromatherapy is not recommended without medical advice for anyone in a fragile state (children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with allergies, asthma or epilepsy), or for anyone taking medication.
French aromatherapy requires strict compliance with contraindications, dosages and duration of use, and requires the use of essential oils of the best quality that meet standard criteria (method of cultivation, extraction, packaging, analysis and traceability). It is important to strictly adhere to the botanical and biochemical identifaction of the essential oils mentionned.
Individual tolerance to essential oils varies significantly, and it is important that each individual respects their own tolerance. For people with a low tolerance threshold, it is advisable to further dilute the essential oils listed in this recipe and the proposed synergies. Long-term use of essential oils requires medical advice.
